HERBALISM

What is Herbalism? The use of plants and plant extracts to stimulate and restore the body’s natural healing ability is known by a variety of names: Herbology Medicine, Herbalism, Phytotherapy, Botanical Medicine, etc. Herbs help 3 important functions: digestion and assimilation, sleep, and elimination. Through Herbalism, plants & herbs serve as an alternative health medicine to prevent & treat illness. An easy way to bring healthy, fresh foods and nutrients into your daily life is by growing an herb garden; organic herbs and plants should be an essential part of your diet.
For thousands of years, plants have been a primary source of alternative health solutions and therapeutic medication for cultures all over the world. Sumerians in the middle east utilized herbology therapies over 5,000 years ago, ancient Egyptians realized the benefit of herbology treatments by 3500 b.c. and the Chinese by 2500 b.c. Ayurveda medicine utilizes many herbs and plants dating back to 2000 b.c. By the middle ages, herbology therapies continued to be used and The Canon of Medicine was published in 1025 a.d. listing over 800 plants, minerals and drugs. With the invention of printing by the 15 century, many herbal healing publications were created. The first herbology medicine publication in English was the Grete Herball in 1526. By the 18th century, herbalism had grown with herbology medicine publications in Latin, Greek and English.
In the modern era, according to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that 80% of the world’s population uses herbology treatments as alternative health solutions. Herbology medicines are grown throughout the world at a fraction of the cost of modern pharmaceuticals. Herbal remedies are very common throughout Europe and are sold alongside prescription drugs. Traditional Chinese medicine is long known for using herbology therapies and according to thinkquest.org, herbology medicine has been chosen by the World Health Organization for worldwide propagation to meet the health care needs of the 21st century. The modern healthy lifestyles of today are learning to include herbology therapies and other alternative health practices as part of a holistic approach to life.
We hope you have learned more about Herbology as an alternative health medicine. Visit All Things Healing online today to read about alternative health practices, herbal medicine information & herbal medicine articles.

by Michele Collins, RH, MPH and
Garren M. Brannon, RD, LDNEach season nature gives us important clues as to what is happening within our bodies and how to best adjust to the changes that are happening in the external environment. Ignoring the lessons of one season can make it harder to adjust without experiencing the illnesses and health issues associated with that season. Learn the types of ailments you are more susceptible to during spring, and how you can use nature to guide food and herb choices as you move into summer.

Among the rich diversity of plant life in the Amazon, there is an amazing array of fungi, which have largely been under researched or not researched at all. Miguel shows Amy how to treat a simple ear infection with Sicochupa or Agoutis tail mushroom...

My first experience with poke (Phytolacca americana) was in my teacher’s back yard in central Virginia, in early fall my first year of herbal studies. She wanted us to do a plant journey. In our process, we sat with whatever plant we felt calling us, observed it, drew it, and then tasted part of it, before “journeying” through meditation on what it had to offer...

Editor's Note from Eden Kozlowski: Important note to our readers: Poke may be a restricted herb in some places. In Canada, for example, it is only sold to qualified herbalists who have signed a dangerous botanicals form. As always, it's important to keep in mind that not all plants are suitable for all people. Some people, for example, are allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family and do not tolerate chamomile. When in doubt, get more information. Know the cautions and contraindications of the plant and adhere to them.

Many pet owners are using herbal medicines and alternative remedies for their animals. Before you run off and give Rover some complicated potion you spent hours brewing, it may be an idea to have your vet check your pet to make sure there are no serious underlying causes...

Editor's Note: This article by Anke Bialas provides herbal remedies for ailments of your pets, which help them to lead a healthier and happier life in a safe and natural way.

Whether it's starting for the first time or needing to 'reboot' a health regime that doesn't motivate you - I find keeping it simple helps me to get on a path that feels good to make a routine.

Begin with something that feels 'easy' is always a great way to introduce change into your routine...

Editor´s Note: Change can be very frightening for some people but if we adopt small changes first then larger ones won't seem so difficult after all. Life is full of changes, as we age our bodies change rather we wat it to or not, it is then that we must look for preventative methods so that we can ride the roller coaster of life with ease and adaptability.

Brains will sprout new connections between cells as long as the environment challenges or stimulates. The saying, “Use it or you lose it” applies to brain power as well as other aspects of our lives. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers the brain uses to communicate...

Editor's Note:The brain is dependent on glucose to function properly. There are several exercises to help sharpen your memory: (1) take mental pictures, blinking your eyes as if they are the lenses to a camera taking a snapshot of your environment, (2) group items together, (3) link the new with what you know and (4) learn to relax, stress and anxiety can make it harder to remember.

Whilst still a student of herbal medicine in London in the late ‘70’s I was invited with my mother, Ann Warren-Davis, FNIMH, who was only one of three herbalists in London at the time, to the pre-opening of my brother’s night club in South Kensington...

Editor´s Note: Today, aloe is one of the most widely used herbs in the United States. I don't know of any home that doesn't have a aloe plant or grew up with one in the house. It can be taken internally as well as externally. An all around miracle herb. Studies show that aloe juice may help lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes and speed wound healing in diabetics.

In our quest to hold herbalism up to the scientific eye, trying to mold it into a clinical science, we have lost touch with the very essence of herbal healing. It is not the clinically tested, standardized medicinal constituents of the plants we need for vitality and balance, but their more obscure, subtle properties. They have an innate ability to offer us the soothing relaxation, gladdening, quieting, emotional defrosting and grounding our over stimulated minds and tired spirits are so much in need of right now.

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Disclaimer. Each category is under the supervision of dedicated editors who are passionate about their topic and believe that raising people's awareness is one way to make a difference in the world. You may or may not agree with all that is presented. Since respectful discourse is an excellent way to learn and grow, we welcome comments on articles and your participation on the Forums.